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Ashley is an award-winning journalist and audio producer based in Ukraine. An experienced reporter, editor and producer (field & studio), she has more than a decade of journalism experience and has previously worked for Voice of America and NPR in Washington, D.C. Since becoming a freelance journalist in 2021, her bylines can be found at NPR, PRX's The World, Voice of America and BBC World News. She was also the lead field producer for "Ukraine Stories" by Fearless Media, a 20-episode podcast launched on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon. Ashley currently lives in Ukraine and focuses her reporting on the on-going Russia-Ukrainian conflict. Previously she lived in Manila, Philippines, and focused on Southeast Asia and Pacific news and issues, and has reported on everything from the toppling of governments in Malaysia and endangered pachyderms in Laos to islamists in the Philippines and pearl farms in French Polynesia. She closely followed U.S. policy toward the Asia-Pacific, developments in the Rohingya refugee crisis and has produced in-depth reporting on China's Belt and Road initiatives around the world. Please see her full body of works at ashleywesterman.com or on twitter @_aswesterman
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Philippines dam aims to solve water shortage exacerbated by climate change
A dam under construction in the Philippines aims to address a looming water shortage, a situation worsened by climate change. The project has sparked controversy and underscores the fragmented discourse on development within the country.
Philippines dam aims to solve water shortage exacerbated by climate change
In the Philippines, the Kaliwa Dam is being constructed in the Sierra Madre mountains to address Manila's looming water shortage, worsened by climate change. The dam faces opposition from the Indigenous Dumagat people, including Maria Clara Dullas, who fear the loss of their homes and sacred lands. Delfin Sespene of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System cites population growth and El Nino as contributing factors to the water crisis. Critics like Angelo Kairos Torres Dela Cruz and Brian Eyler argue that while dams can be part of the solution, they should not infringe on Indigenous rights or contribute to environmental degradation. The national government has offered compensation for relocation, but the Dumagat community is resistant, prioritizing their ancestral land over monetary benefits.
Philippines dam aims to solve water shortage exacerbated by climate change
An impending water shortage in Manila, Philippines, exacerbated by climate change, has led to the construction of the Kaliwa Dam in the Sierra Madre mountains. The dam, which began construction last year, is controversial due to its potential to submerge the village of Daraitan and destroy sacred lands of the Indigenous Dumagat people. Maria Clara Dullas, president of Dumagat Women of Sierra Madre, expresses the community's opposition to the dam, which is financed by China. Experts highlight the dam's role in climate adaptation but caution against overlooking Indigenous rights and environmental degradation. The national government has offered compensation for relocation, but the Dumagat people prioritize their land over monetary benefits.
The Philippines' capital is running out of water. Is building a dam the solution?
Metro Manila faces a severe water shortage due to population growth, climate change, and potential poor planning. The Philippine government has begun constructing the Kaliwa Dam on the Agos River to address this issue. However, the dam threatens the village of Daraitan and its Indigenous Dumagat population, who rely on the river and land for their livelihood. The dam's construction has sparked debate over its effectiveness as a climate change solution and its impact on Indigenous rights and environmental degradation. While officials argue the dam is necessary to meet the increasing water demand, critics highlight the potential negative consequences, including displacement of communities and environmental harm.
The Philippines' capital is running out of water. Is building a dam the solution?
Daraitan, a village in the Philippines, is at risk of being submerged due to the construction of the Kaliwa Dam, intended to address Metro Manila's water shortage. The Indigenous Dumagat community, led by Maria Clara Dullas, opposes the dam, which threatens their ancestral lands. The dam, part of a larger water supply project, is seen as necessary by officials like Delfin Sespene of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System to meet the increasing water demand due to population growth and the effects of climate change, including El Niño. Experts acknowledge the potential benefits of the dam but also highlight the downsides, such as environmental degradation and displacement of communities. The conversation around climate change adaptation and development in the Philippines remains disjointed, with Indigenous communities like the Dumagat feeling excluded from the decision-making process.
The Philippines' capital is running out of water. Is building a dam the solution?
Daraitan, a village in the Philippines, is threatened by the construction of the Kaliwa Dam, which aims to address the looming water shortage in Metro Manila. Indigenous Dumagat people, including Maria Clara Dullas, oppose the dam as it would submerge their ancestral lands. The dam, proposed in 2012 and begun in 2022 with a loan from China, is seen as a response to population growth and climate change, particularly the anticipated effects of El Niño. Critics argue that while dams can provide solutions, they should not come at the expense of Indigenous rights or environmental degradation. The Philippine government has offered compensation for relocation, but the Dumagat people prioritize their ancestral land over the benefits of the dam.
Philippines dam aims to solve water shortage exacerbated by climate change
The Kaliwa Dam, under construction in the Sierra Madre mountains near Manila, Philippines, aims to address the capital's looming water shortage, worsened by climate change. The dam faces opposition from the Indigenous Dumagat people, including Maria Clara Dullas, who fear the loss of their homes and sacred lands. While the dam is seen as a potential solution to water scarcity and a renewable energy source, it also poses environmental risks, such as greenhouse gas emissions and altered water flow. The project's financing by China and the national government's offer to relocate the Dumagat people have sparked further controversy. Experts like Delfin Sespene of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System acknowledge the region's population growth and climate events like El Nino as contributing factors to the water crisis. Angelo Kairos Torres Dela Cruz from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities and Brian Eyler from the Stimson Center's Southeast Asia Program suggest that while dams can be part of the solution, they should not come at the expense of other critical issues.
Philippines dam aims to solve water shortage exacerbated by climate change
An impending water shortage in Manila, Philippines, exacerbated by climate change, has led to the construction of the Kaliwa Dam in the Sierra Madre mountains. The dam, which began construction last year, is controversial due to its potential to submerge the village of Daraitan and destroy sacred lands of the Indigenous Dumagat people. Maria Clara Dullas, president of Dumagat Women of Sierra Madre, expresses the community's opposition to the dam, despite the government's offer to relocate them. Experts highlight the dam's role in climate adaptation but also its potential contribution to climate change and other environmental issues. The conversation in the Philippines is disjointed, focusing on the dam's cost and Chinese financing rather than integrating climate change adaptation into development plans.
Philippines dam aims to solve water shortage exacerbated by climate change
An impending water shortage in Manila, Philippines, exacerbated by climate change, has led to the construction of the Kaliwa Dam in the Sierra Madre mountains. The dam, which began construction last year, is intended to alleviate the capital's water crisis but faces controversy over its impact on Indigenous Dumagat people and the environment. Maria Clara Dullas, president of Dumagat Women of Sierra Madre, expresses the community's opposition, fearing submersion of their village and destruction of sacred lands. Experts acknowledge the dam's potential role in addressing water scarcity but caution against overlooking Indigenous rights and environmental degradation. The dam's financing by China and the national government's offer to relocate the village for over $1.4 million are also points of contention.
Philippines dam aims to solve water shortage exacerbated by climate change
An impending water shortage in Manila, Philippines, exacerbated by climate change, has led to the construction of the Kaliwa Dam in the Sierra Madre mountains. The dam, which began construction last year, is controversial due to its potential to submerge the village of Daraitan and destroy sacred Indigenous lands. Maria Clara Dullas, president of Dumagat Women of Sierra Madre, expresses the community's opposition, emphasizing their connection to the land. The dam is seen as a necessary measure to prevent a water crisis affecting over 13 million people, with climate change and population growth being contributing factors. However, experts warn that dams can also contribute to climate change and are not a comprehensive solution. The national government has offered compensation for relocation, but the community prioritizes the preservation of their land.
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